Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio: Audiologist Review

Phonak’s Infinio Sphere, launched in August 2024, introduces the AI-driven DEEPSONIC chip, designed to enhance speech clarity in noisy environments. My hands-on testing left me impressed with the Sphere's performance, especially in background noise. However, the product's bulky size and limited battery life may be a consideration for some buyers.

Is the larger size worth it?

The first thing I noticed about Infinio Sphere was its size. Infinio Sphere is notably larger than other receiver-in-canal hearing aids I've reviewed. However, I've learned from speaking with Phonak reps that this design choice was necessary to accommodate the new DEEPSONIC chip, a deep neural network (DDN) processor that removes background noise when "Sphere mode" is activated.

But, how well does Sphere mode work, and is it worth?

There has been plenty of buzz about the new Sphere mode, so I was eager to test it with my own ears. After hearing Sphere in various noisy settings, I was honestly impressed with how well it delivered. With Sphere mode enabled, speech became clearer and stood forefront to the tamed background noise. This was true of not just voices in front of me, but those to either side as well. And, Sphere preserves important spatial cues by processing sounds in each hearing aid independently—this should help with noise too.

Ultimately, I found the Sphere's comfortable on my own ears and the slightly larger size didn't detract from my overall experience. The design of the Sphere is ergonomic and user-friendly.

Good connectivity and decent streaming audio quality

Infinio hearing aids utilize Bluetooth 5.3 Dual-Mode, a significant upgrade from their previous Lumity generation, which relied on Bluetooth 4.2. This advancement offers improved connectivity, reduced latency, and greater energy efficiency for both iOS and Android users. A noteworthy improvement with Bluetooth 5.3 is the ability to pair up to 8 devices and connect to any 2 simultaneously, a convenient feature for those using multiple devices such as Phonak wireless accessories.

If you’ve been following developments in Bluetooth technology, you may wonder if Infinio hearing aids are Auracast-enabled. Unfortunately, like many other prescription hearing aid manufacturers, Phonak has made its devices “Auracast-ready” but not yet fully Auracast-enabled. While this may be disappointing for those eager to explore the feature, it’s worth noting that Auracast streams are still few and far between.

Overall, audio streaming worked well without dropouts. If you aren't experiencing good streamed audio quality, you may need to adjust the physical ear tip and/or make audio programming improvements—both done at your audiologist's office.

Pairing Sphere with your iPhone

Bluetooth connectivity is also often a pain point, and while hearing aids have improved, pairing Infinio Sphere still required careful attention to detail. Thankfully, your provider typically handles initial setup, but here’s a step-by-step guide if you find yourself running into wireless connectivity issues:

1. Uninstall the myPhonak App: Go to your Bluetooth settings and unpair any existing Phonak connections by selecting “Forget This Device” (Settings > Bluetooth > (i) > Forget This Device).
2. Power Cycle Devices: Restart your iPhone and hearing aids. Alternatively, place your hearing aids in their charger to reset them.
3. Reinstall the myPhonak App: Follow the prompts within the app to begin the pairing process for your hearing aids.
4. Confirm Bluetooth Connections: Check your phone’s Bluetooth settings to ensure your devices are listed under My Devices. Look for entries like “LE_L-Phonak hearing aid”, “LE_R-Phonak hearing aid”, and “R-Phonak hearing aid.”
   • If “R-Phonak hearing aid” appears under Other Devices, select it and click Pair. This final pairing enables audio streaming.

While this process worked, it was not intuitive, and I had to follow these steps in precise order to achieve full functionality. For those who prefer a visual aid, check out audiologist Matthew Allsop's Sphere-iPhone pairing video below:

Decent battery life, but be careful with Sphere mode

Infinio Sphere hearing aids have built-in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries which offer up to 16 hours of use per charge (including up to 3 hours of Bluetooth streaming). Phonak’s battery life estimates are surprisingly low when compared to other prescription hearing aids on the market; however, they may also be overly conservative.

Some early user reviews suggest the battery life may be better than expected. User Ryan_D over on the hearing aid forum said: "I’ve been wearing these for about 14-16 hours a day and being in environments where the Sphere mode kicks in for about 3-4 hours. When I took them out to go to bed, I had just under 60% battery left. I was really expecting these to maaaaaaybe squeeze out 1 day of wear but like another user posted in their review, they battery life is completely fine with these."

Charging Sphere from a fully depleted battery takes approximately 3.5 hours. The charging process is simple and user-friendly—just place the hearing aids into their designated slots in the charging case, where they will automatically lock into position and begin charging. LED indicators on the charging case provide a clear visual of the charge status and will turn solid green once fully charged.

For users who rely heavily on Phonak’s new Sphere mode, such as a dedicated program in your MyPhonak app, it is important to note that battery consumption increases, dropping your battery life to around 7 hours. This highlights the extra AI-based processing Phonak’s new DEEPSONIC chip is performing to make speech clear. In reality, most environments will not require Sphere mode to be activated and their standard noise-reduction features, such as Phonak’s directional microphones StereoZoom 2.0, will do the trick.

Phonak’s new ChargoGo for Infinio is nearly identical to their previous portable chargers and it offers around 3 additional full charges of convenient on the go power. Both the hearing aids and the case can be recharged simultaneously via a USB-C connection. Phonak also offers a standard Charger which works similarly although it must be plugged into a power outlet to work.

Note: Battery stats provided by Phonak

Using the myPhonak app

The myPhonak app is a free, user-friendly tool for controlling your Phonak hearing aids, and it is available for both iOS and Android users. Installing the app is highly recommended, as it unlocks impressive customization. Below are the main tabs and key features:

Home Tab

The Home tab lets you easily manage your hearing aid settings:

• Program Selection: Switch between programs set up by your provider or ones you’ve created in the app.
• Volume Controls: Adjust the volume of both hearing aids, or independently for each ear, with the option to mute sound entirely.
• Adjust Program: Customize your sound further with presets (e.g., Comfort, Speech, etc.) or manual adjust the sound quality using the 3-band equalizer.

Additional Settings: Fine-tune the noise reduction, speech focus, and dynamics of your current program. You can save these preferences within existing programs or as entirely new ones for future use.

Devices Tab

The Devices tab provides essential information and customizable options for your hearing aids. Noteworthy features include:

• Find My Hearing Aids: Tracks and geotags the location of your devices if they’re misplaced. While I typically avoid enabling location tracking, this feature is invaluable, and I’ve seen its benefits firsthand.
• Connection Management: Enable “Stay connected” to prevent your hearing aids from needing to reconnect each time you open the app, ensuring a smoother experience.
• Tap Controls: Customize touch controls for tasks like audio streaming or activating voice assistants. You can even adjust the sensitivity level for each hearing aid.

It’s worth noting that many features in the Devices tab—previously accessible only through your hearing care provider—are now available directly to users. This shift toward greater user control not only adds convenience but also empowers you to make adjustments without requiring frequent provider visits.

Health Tab

Phonak’s Health tab integrates wellness features directly into the app:

• Metrics Tracking: Monitor wearing time, daily steps, and other activity-related stats.
• Goal Setting: Collaborate with your hearing care provider, primary care physician, or dietitian to set personalized goals for improved hearing, physical health, and overall wellbeing.

Hearing health is increasingly recognized as integral to mental and physical health. Features like these highlight the interconnectedness of hearing, sociability, and general wellness, making the Health tab an exciting addition for holistic health management.

Remote Assistance

Like most prescription hearing aids, Phonak Infinio Sphere offer support that extends beyond your provider’s clinic. For those seeking a more modern approach to hearing care—or who need assistance without an office visit—Phonak offers remote audiologic care through the myPhonak app. After installing the app and pairing your hearing aids with your mobile device, the process is simple. You can schedule appointments with your provider, who will send an invitation for a Remote Video Appointment directly through the app. During the video call, your provider can make adjustments to most hearing aid settings (with a few exceptions such as the feedback test).

To access Phonak Remote Support, your initial fitting must already be completed. This ensures that your provider has (hopefully) conducted real-ear measurements and verified that your hearing aids are optimized for your hearing needs. Make sure your devices are fully charged and that you are in a quiet, non-reverberant environment as this will improve communication and help your appointment run smoother.

For additional technical support, Phonak offers a consumer helpline at[ 800-679-4871](telephone.com/ 800-679-4871). However, for most issues, your provider will remain your primary point of contact.

Wireless Accessories

Modern hearing aids are remarkable technologies that have advanced considerably over the past decade. However, even the best hearing aids can sometimes struggle in challenging listening environments. This is where wireless accessories can make a significant difference. Phonak offers tools like the TV Streamer and PartnerMic, which can enhance your listening experience. Speak with your provider to determine how these accessories might fit your needs.

Phonak also features a line of advanced wireless microphones known as Roger. While often overlooked, these devices can provide speech benefits that surpass even the most sophisticated hearing aid algorithms. In noisy or complex environments, Roger microphones enhance speech clarity and reduce the effort required to follow conversations.

For comparison, it is similar to the Live Listen feature on iOS devices but with significantly more advanced processing and functionality. While you might hesitate to carry an additional accessory or invest in one, they can be transformative for those seeking extra support in challenging listening situations.

Should I buy the Spheres?

Phonak’s Audeo Infinio hearing aids build on the success of the previous Lumity line, offering modern features like Bluetooth connectivity, a broad fitting range, and various wireless accessories. The powerful DEEPSONIC processing chip makes Infinio Sphere a compelling choice for anyone seeking top-tier prescription hearing aids.

Phonak’s new AI DEEPSONIC chip excels in improving speech clarity in noisy environments, such as busy restaurants or social gatherings. However, its benefits depend on your specific hearing needs and fitting style. Here are some considerations that you should discuss with your provider:

• Open vs. Closed Fit: If your hearing aids use less occluding ear tips, noise reduction benefits may be limited as your open ear canals allow environmental noise to enter naturally.
• Noise Activation Threshold: the DEEPSONIC denoising feature only activates in louder settings (around 72 dBA, similar to the volume of a busy diner) to optimize battery life and processing power. Those who lead quieter lifestyles may not experience the full benefits of Sphere's noise-reduction capabilities.

With those considerations in mind, you will likely benefit the most from Sphere if you struggle significantly with understanding speech in noisy environments, frequently encounter loud environments, use more occluding closed-fit ear tips.

If these scenarios apply to you, you’re more likely to notice a significant improvement  with Phonak Infinio Sphere, compared to their standard Audeo Infinio option. However, choosing a hearing aid is a personal decision that balances your lifestyle, hearing needs, and budget. Speak with your hearing care provider to explore whether Sphere’s advanced processing capabilities are worth the additional investment. They can perform speech-in-noise tests and even offer demos to help you make a well-informed choice.

Before you buy them! Hear Matthew's perspective.

HearingTracker Audiologist Matthew Allsop shares his perspective on the Phonak Sphere. We agree on many of the pros and cons of the product.

Are there any other products I should consider, instead of the Sphere?

If you are considering an alternative to Phonak Infinio, is it worth looking at Oticon’s latest flagship Intent Hearing Aids. Intent was released earlier in 2024 offering similarly advanced audio processing, wireless capabilities, and slightly longer battery life than Sphere, at least according to marketing claims.

Like the Phonak Infinio Sphere, the Oticon Intent incorporates advanced AI-driven features, including the Deep Neural Network (DNN) 2.0 and MoreSound Intelligence 3.0. These technologies aim to deliver adaptive sound processing and enhanced noise reduction in real-time, making them particularly appealing for challenging listening environments.

Our online community has shared valuable insights about the Oticon Intent:

• Sound Quality: Many users highlight the device’s ability to provide a natural listening experience, especially in noisy environments.
• Battery Life: Users report that the longer battery life is noticeable, particularly during extended daily use.
• Connectivity: While wireless features are robust, some users mention occasional connectivity issues similar to those experienced with other high-end hearing aids.

When comparing the Oticon Intent to the Phonak Infinio Sphere, both models excel in leveraging AI for improved sound clarity, with Phonak Sphere having the edge. However, your individual hearing needs, lifestyle, and preferences should guide your decision.